ZTE Blade V41 Vita vs. OnePlus Nord N20 5G: Which Budget 5G Phone Reigns Supreme?

The sub-$300 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The ZTE Blade V41 Vita and OnePlus Nord N20 5G both aim to deliver 5G connectivity and a modern smartphone experience without breaking the bank. However, they take different approaches, with ZTE opting for a MediaTek Dimensity 810 chipset and OnePlus choosing the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695. This comparison will dissect their key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a brighter display, the OnePlus Nord N20 5G emerges as the better choice. While the ZTE Blade V41 Vita offers a slightly faster charging speed, the Nord N20 5G’s Snapdragon 695 provides a more refined user experience and a demonstrably brighter screen.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE Blade V41 Vita OnePlus Nord N20 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - V1HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - V11, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - V12, 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat15 800/200 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 2, 7, 28, 40, 66, 78 SA/NSA - V2-
Launch
Announced2022, December 072022, April 28
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, December 23Available. Released 2022, April 28
Body
Build-Glass front (Schott Xensation Up), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions-159.9 x 73.2 x 7.5 mm (6.30 x 2.88 x 0.30 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight-173 g (6.10 oz)
Display
Protection-Schott Xensation Up
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.6 inches, 104.9 cm26.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90HzAMOLED
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Adreno 619
OSAndroid 12, MyOS 12Android 11, OxygenOS 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
 UFS 2.2UFS 2.2
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, (wide)16 MP, f/2.4, (wide)
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single8 MP, (wide)16 MP, f/2.4, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioUnspecifiedNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximityFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging22.5W wired33W wired
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsStarry BlackBlue
Models8140NGN2200, CPH2459
PriceAbout 300 EURAbout 120 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 129h
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Performance- AnTuTu: 316974 (v8), 380672 (v9) GeekBench: 1945 (v5.1) GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

ZTE Blade V41 Vita

  • Faster 22.5W wired charging
  • Potentially lower price point
  • MediaTek Dimensity 810 offers solid performance for the price

  • Likely dimmer display compared to the Nord N20 5G
  • Older generation CPU architecture

OnePlus Nord N20 5G

  • Brighter 647 nit display for better outdoor visibility
  • More efficient Snapdragon 695 chipset
  • Faster 33W wired charging

  • May be slightly more expensive than the ZTE Blade V41 Vita
  • Endurance rating is the same as the ZTE, despite faster charging

Display Comparison

The OnePlus Nord N20 5G boasts a significant advantage in display quality, achieving a measured peak brightness of 647 nits. This is crucial for outdoor visibility, a common pain point for budget phones. While the ZTE Blade V41 Vita’s display specifications are not provided, it’s reasonable to assume it falls short of this brightness level. The Nord N20 5G’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a typical IPS panel, but the high brightness mitigates the lack of OLED’s perfect blacks. Bezels are likely comparable on both devices given their price points, and color accuracy is an area where OnePlus typically performs well, though independent testing would be needed for confirmation.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specifications are limited, but the focus should be on the main sensors. Without specific sensor sizes, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, OnePlus generally prioritizes image processing and software optimization, potentially yielding better results even with a similar sensor. The inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device is unknown, but would be a significant advantage for low-light photography. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely irrelevant; these sensors typically produce low-quality images and are more of a marketing feature than a practical benefit.

Performance

Both phones utilize 6nm process technology, but the underlying architectures differ significantly. The ZTE Blade V41 Vita’s MediaTek Dimensity 810 features a dual-cluster configuration with 2x 2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 cores and 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The OnePlus Nord N20 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 employs 2x 2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold cores and 6x 1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver cores. While clock speeds are slightly higher on the Dimensity 810, the Cortex-A76 cores are older generation compared to the Kryo 660 Gold cores, which benefit from Qualcomm’s architectural improvements. This translates to a more efficient and responsive experience on the Nord N20 5G, particularly in sustained workloads. RAM speed is not specified for either device, but LPDDR4X is a likely common denominator, limiting overall memory bandwidth.

Battery Life

Both the ZTE Blade V41 Vita and OnePlus Nord N20 5G share an endurance rating of 129 hours, suggesting similar overall battery life despite differing charging capabilities. The Nord N20 5G’s 33W wired charging is significantly faster than the V41 Vita’s 22.5W charging. This means the Nord N20 5G can replenish its battery from 0-100% in a shorter timeframe, a crucial convenience factor for many users. The identical endurance ratings suggest that software optimization and power efficiency of the Snapdragon 695 offset any potential battery capacity differences.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE Blade V41 Vita if you prioritize fast charging and are heavily invested in the MediaTek ecosystem, potentially benefiting from optimized software support. Buy the OnePlus Nord N20 5G if you value a brighter, more visible display in outdoor conditions, and a generally smoother, more responsive user experience thanks to Qualcomm’s chipset and software optimizations.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Snapdragon 695 in the OnePlus Nord N20 5G powerful enough for demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 695 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with stable frame rates. While it won't deliver the highest graphical fidelity, it provides a playable experience. The Dimensity 810 in the ZTE Blade V41 Vita offers comparable gaming performance, but the Snapdragon 695’s thermal management may result in less throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the OnePlus Nord N20 5G with the 33W charger?
With the included 33W charger, the OnePlus Nord N20 5G can typically charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 70-80 minutes. This is significantly faster than the ZTE Blade V41 Vita’s 22.5W charging, which will likely take over 90 minutes for a full charge.
❓ Does the ZTE Blade V41 Vita support carrier aggregation for improved 5G speeds?
While not explicitly stated, the MediaTek Dimensity 810 generally supports carrier aggregation, allowing it to combine multiple 5G bands for faster data speeds. However, the specific bands supported will vary depending on the carrier and region. The OnePlus Nord N20 5G’s Snapdragon 695 also supports carrier aggregation, and Qualcomm typically offers broader carrier compatibility.